NC lawmakers’ reaction to US attack on Iran falls along party lines
Both of North Carolina’s Republican U.S. senators praised the U.S. attack on Iran Saturday morning while Democratic lawmakers said the action was unwarranted and unconstitutional.
President Donald Trump called for Iranian citizens to overthrow their government after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on the Middle Eastern country early Saturday morning — some of which targeted the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The New York Times reported.
Saturday morning, Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, praised the strikes in a statement on X, writing that Iran was “the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism,” responsible for destabilizing the Middle East while “calling for the death of America.”
“President Trump has rightfully determined that this theocratic dictatorship cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and continue to slaughter its own citizens who simply want freedom,” Tillis said. “I expect all members of Congress will soon be briefed about Operation Epic Fury and determine whether a broader scope and further military action requires an authorization by Congress. “We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the men and women of our Armed Forces and our coalition partners.”
Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, slammed the strikes in a Saturday statement. The 2nd District covers most of Wake County.
“Trump’s attack on Iran is unwarranted and unconstitutional,” Ross wrote. “Iran is controlled by a despotic regime that must be held accountable, but Trump is dragging our country into a war that the American people don’t want and that Congress didn’t authorize. “Trump claimed that Iran’s nuclear program was completely ‘obliterated.’ He must immediately explain the rationale for these strikes and detail how his administration will avoid sending American troops into another costly and deadly military conflict in the Middle East. “Most importantly, Congress must immediately vote on the War Powers Resolution.”
Sen. Ted Budd, a Republican, in a statement on X, wrote that Iran’s nuclear program could not stand.
“Today, [Trump] announced a major combat operation in Iran with the goal of further crippling Iran’s nuclear program and to protect the U.S. and our allies,” Budd wrote. “For decades, Iran and its terror proxies have repeatedly targeted American service-members and stoked violence and unrest in the region. President Trump knows well that the American people do not favor prolonged conflict, but there is also little doubt that Iran’s reckless ambition to obtain nuclear weapons and long range missiles represents a grave threat to our safety and security. A nuclear Iran has always been an unacceptable outcome.”
Rep. Valerie Foushee, a Democrat representing North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District, criticized the Trump administration in a statement on X. The 4th District covers Orange and Durham counties and parts of western Wake County.
“I will go on record right now: I do not support Trump’s illegal war with Iran and will do everything I can in Congress to support War Powers Resolutions to stop it,” Foushee wrote. “The American people are tired of endless wars and we cannot put our service members at risk —period.”
“The president’s strikes are completely illegal and are plunging us into a senseless regime-change war over oil. He needs to be held accountable. Lives are at stake.”
Rep. David Rouzer, a Republican who represents North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, wrote in a statement that the attacks were a necessary step to bring peace to the Middle East. The 7th District covers southeast North Carolina, near the South Carolina border.
“May God protect and bless the brave men and women of the U.S. military during Operation Epic Fury,” Rouzer wrote. “President Trump has the courage and conviction to do what is necessary to protect America and our allies, and I thank him for it. For decades, the Iranian regime has exported and funded terrorism threatening the safety of the United States and our closest allies. Today’s decisive action is a necessary step toward establishing stability and a lasting peace in the Middle East for the betterment of all.”
Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat who represents the 12th Congressional District, mostly Mecklenburg County, released a statement late Saturday:
“Today, President Trump launched a massive ongoing military operation against Iran. The president has chosen to forgo diplomacy and has placed American troops under threat. I pray for their safety and the safety of all civilians in this conflict. “The Iranian government’s violations of human rights and nuclear ambitions must be addressed. However, without clear and pressing need, the president must seek authorization from Congress before launching any use of military force that could constitute an act of war. “Congress must exercise its constitutional authority, and I am calling on Speaker Johnson to call the House of Representatives back to Washington immediately.”
Rep. Don Davis, a Democrat from North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, did not directly praise the U.S. strikes on Iran in a statement on X but wrote that the world must speak “with a unified voice against terror and proliferation, and Congress is kept informed for oversight.“
“We need to stand together to bring an end to terrorism and human rights violations,” Davis wrote. “A regime that supports terror, destabilizes its neighbors, and aims to destroy other nations can’t be trusted. Global instability, fueled by extremist proxies, threatens the safety of American citizens and our allies.”
The 1st District represents northeast North Carolina but was redrawn ahead of the 2026 midterms to favor Republicans, The N&O previously reported. Davis is running for reelection in the redrawn district.
U.S. Rep. Brad Knott, a Republican who represents the 13th Congressional District, issued a statement on the attack:
“After declining every offer for negotiation and warning from the administration, President Trump delivered real consequences for the tyrannical Iranian regime. Please join me in praying for US service members, our allies, and the innocent Iranian population that has been brutalized for decades. My hope is real and lasting peace will be achieved for Iran quickly.”
The 13th District is an ear-shaped district that includes Sanford, wraps around Wake County on the east and north to the Virginia state line.
In her Saturday newsletter, Orange County Commissioner Marilyn Carter wrote about what she heard from talking to Iranians in her district.
“Many within the Persian diaspora, including family and friends, have shared with me their deep fears and hopes for the future of the Iranian people,” Carter wrote. “At the same time, we must recognize that a war of choice such as this one will have significant repercussions here at home — even if the effects are hard to predict.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published February 28, 2026 at 10:02 AM.
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